His debut album, produced by Andrija Tokic (Alabama Shakes, Hurray For The Riff Raff), was released via ATO Records/Rough Trade Records.
Booker was hand-picked to open for Jack White on a series of US July dates, and following his first UK headline tour in May played a series of US dates with Courtney Barnett. He toured in the US with Hurray For The Riff Raff.
Booker's second album, "Witness", was released on June 2, 2017.
In September 2020, he released the single "Black Disco" with proceeds going to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Have You Seen My Son?
Benjamin Booker Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I could hardly understand you
Boy, just mind that you mind me
I bet that you've callin' on me boy
Askin' for answers
You've been callin' at my door
You cried for a week
My son is still in the world
I don't see your way
I miss the old days
I miss the old days
Son,don't run
I said I'm tryin' to find some children in this world
I know the things that you understand
I bet that you've callin' on me boy
Askin' for answers
You've been callin' at my door
You cried for a week
My son is askin' the world somewhere
I pray for him every day
I know I won't see his face
All the way from Florida to New Orleans
I said 'everyone even who helps the least
When a mother loses his child
She would do my silly thing
I know that I can never make it right
But it's hard to live in failure
My son is lost in the world somewhere
I help him every day
The lyrics of Benjamin Booker's song, "Have You Seen My Son?" are both poignant and heart-wrenching. The song is a plea from a father who is searching for his lost son. The opening lines of the song, "Place that Bible at my feet, I could hardly understand you, boy just mind that you mind me," suggest that the father has turned to religion and prayer in his search for his son. However, he is struggling to reconcile his faith with the pain and frustration he feels over his son's disappearance. The line "My son is still in the world, I don't see your way" hints at the father's desperation and sense of helplessness.
As the song progresses, the father becomes increasingly emotional, addressing his son directly with lines like "Son, don't run" and "I know the things that you understand." It becomes clear that despite his frustration, the father's love for his son is unwavering. The repeated refrain "My son is lost in the world somewhere, I help him every day" underscores this theme.
The final verse of the song is particularly powerful, with the father acknowledging the depth of his pain and the reality that he might never see his son again. The lines "I know that I can never make it right, but it's hard to live in failure" suggest his feelings of guilt and regret for things he may have done or not done in the past.
Line by Line Meaning
Place that Bible at my feet
Please bring me the Bible.
I could hardly understand you
I'm having trouble following what you're saying.
Boy, just mind that you mind me
Son, please listen to me and do as I say.
I bet that you've callin' on me boy Askin' for answers You've been callin' at my door You cried for a week
I know you've been seeking my help and have been in distress for some time now.
My son is still in the world I don't see your way I miss the old days I miss the old days
My son is out there in the world and I'm worried for him. I long for the simpler times we had in the past.
Son,don't run I said I'm tryin' to find some children in this world I know the things that you understand
Please don't leave or run away. I'm trying to protect all of the children in this world, and I know you understand why that's important.
My son is askin' the world somewhere I pray for him every day I know I won't see his face
My son is out there somewhere, and I worry about him constantly. I pray for him every day, even though I may never see him again.
All the way from Florida to New Orleans I said 'everyone even who helps the least When a mother loses his child She would do my silly thing I know that I can never make it right But it's hard to live in failure
No matter where I go, I feel like I will always be marked by the pain of losing my child. Even those who don't have much to offer have tried to help me through this difficult time. When a mother loses a child, she will do anything to try to fix things. But even then, I know that I can never truly make it right, and it's hard to live with that sense of failure.
My son is lost in the world somewhere I help him every day
My son is still out there somewhere, and I continue to try to help him every day, even though it's difficult and the outcome remains uncertain.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: BENJAMIN RODERICK EVANS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Teddy Roosevelt
You told me that the world is full of sinners
And placed a bible at my feet
I could hardly understand you
Oh, I had just learned to chew my meat
I heard that you were calling on the Lord
Asking for answers, for some relief
I heard that you were calling out my name (my name!)
And that you cried for a whole week
Saying, "Have you seen my son?
He’s lost in the world somewhere
I pray for him every day
But I know he ain't seen your ways
(Is he alright?)"
As I got older
It never got any better
I said I’m trying to find some truth in this world
I know there’s things that you won't understand
We fought all the way from Florida
Down I-10 to New Orleans
I said God must love everyone
Even the ones the Church loves the least
They say that when a mother loves her child
She will do most anything
I know that I can never make it right
But it's hard to hear you say it
Yeah, "Have you seen my son?
He’s lost in the world somewhere
I pray for him every day
But I know he ain't seen your ways."
Dyn Jarren
I’m going to say it. The Literal Rebirth of Rock n Roll! 🎸👏🏻😎
And I’m glad it’s a black kid cause black folks invented Rock n Roll and whites copied it. This is great! Chuck Berry would be proud!
It’s unreal that rock n roll has come full circle ⭕️ finally.
Back to the Basics! A guitar 🎸, a vocal and drums! That’s all you need to Rock!
Not Pyrotechnics 🧨, not Makeup, not Gimmicks, not Costumes, not stupid Autotune Mics! Not Loops!
The Music is the whole thing!
👏🏻🔥🎸😎
odinmp5
this guy deserves headlining every major festival in the world. the album is great from wall to wall.
anthrax
+Matthew Smith He was at Jazz fest last year, and will probably be at it this year.
Ryan brio
I'm pretty sure he is going to be part of Lollapalooza this year.
L beetlejuiceklein
Saw him live opening for jack white last night in toronto. He is solid all about rock and roll with a hint of blues
Jimbo Garner
This guy has got it. He has really got it. This is real.
Brett Van Boven
I don't often buy CDs, but when I do they are made by Benjamin Booker.Congrats Ben and another great track.
Cary Willis
Just when you think rock & roll is dead, Benjamin Booker smacks you in the face and says, aw hell no.
(Hope I don't go deaf!)
Harry Mansfield
This guy is incredible, love his sound
AngelaTheServer
Love him!
RockNPunkBands
Wonderful artist 🤘🤘